New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-22
THE TOB4CCO TAX.

The proposal 10 remit the tax on tobacco
finds it's sufficient justification In the fact that
no Government docs not need tho revenue.
No industry is fosicrcd or defended by this
tax on the contrary, An important industry is
hindcrcd so far Us the consumption is dmn-
lshcd by the enhancement Of price. Both
growers and manufacturers are affected. though
not Us much. perhaps. as some suppose. For
the retail profits on this article are so large,
relatively TO the wholesale cost. and the habits
of consumers 50 generally control tho guam
titles purchased and even the place of purchase,
that considerable changes in Wholesale prices
arc often not felt ut all by consumers. great
many varieties OF tobacco would probably b.
rctailcd at exactly tho same price IL the tax
were RENTED that Is paid now, and Others
would 10 so little reduced In price that the
consumer would get but part Of the benefit
But large part Of the consumption is Of a
different character. Kinds Of tobacco most
largely used would undoubtedly TO cheapcnod
greatly by removal Of the tax, and while
some consumers would only 10 induced to
consume more largely and thus TO spend more
money, others would gain the entire difference
In tho price. The decisive fact is that gov
eminent no longer needs tax which impcdcs
10 a considerable extent important industries.
1t Is laughable 10 sec some pcr.ons favor
ing tho proposition because tobacco is a neces-
sary Of life. and others opposing it because
the consumption Of tobacco is a wasteful ex-
travagance which government should not en-
courage. Tobacco using is not a necessity, nor
is II crime. TO some il Is hiirtful TO others
it is not. Government is not doctor. 1t is
no part OF the business Of government to de-
tcrmine for each individual whether tobacco
agrees with his constitution, or TO deprive OF
IFS use any to whom it is harmless or helpful
because to others it is injurious. But he who
calls tobacco necessary OF life, in an economic
sense. does not understand the use Of words.
Those are nccessaries which are essential to the
efficiency Of the man AZ q worker, citizen,
md member OF society, and II cannot be
denied that many men are MS efficient in all
these aspects. who do not use tobacco at all
as those who do use it. Properly it is Chased
with other PARTICLES OF voluntary use" the
consumption Of which is usually determined
by individual preference and habit, but which
any individual can discontinue using who
peases and which many do discontinue using
when tho price Is enhanced.
The TAX on TOBACCO Is one which does in
fact increase tho cost of living for largo
portion of the community. lis enhancement
Of the actual cost Of living for a majority Of
worsingmen does in fact have bearing upon
The cost of production in all departments.
Moreover, it is u tax which costs government
q large expense for collection a considerable
part of the entro internal revenue force is
required in order to collect this tax alone. and
could be spared il the tax were abolished.
mike the manufacture of spirits and beer
which must DO carried on In the main in large
cstablis hmcnts, and with costly machinery and
large capital. the tobacco manufacture in MANY
forms can be and is conducted with success by
q multitude of individuals in small shops, and
The constant scrutiny required to prevent tho
evasion OF the tax Affects the convenience
OF 4 great number Of lcople. and requires a
large body of officials.
1t is % mistake to reason. as sOme do. that
the tax on tobacco and on liquors should stand
or fall together. Economically beer and whis-
key are also articles of voluntary consumption
and Therefore in the same sense fit objects
Of taxation. but the creator cost Of collecting